Owning the Secular: Religious Symbols, Culture Wars, Western Fragility

Owning the Secular explores how secularism, nationalism, and multiculturalism are debated and understood in Euro-Western states, especially in the digital age, as competing groups contest and rearrange the meaning of these terms. It examines three case studies, including two public controversies over the veil in Canada and an ex-Muslim podcaster rethinking her atheist identity in the era of Donald Trump and the alt-right.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 114 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Owning the Secular delves into three captivating case studies that explore the intricate interplay between religious symbols and cultural identity. These case studies encompass two public controversies surrounding the veil in Canada, one at the federal level and another in the province of Québec. Additionally, it features an ex-Muslim podcaster who reevaluates her atheist identity in the era of Donald Trump and the alt-right. By employing theories of discourse analysis and ideology critique, this study sheds light on a fascinating evolution in how secularism, nationalism, and multiculturalism are debated and interpreted in Euro-Western states. It highlights how these terms are contested and reorganized by competing groups as they strive to shape their meanings in the ever-changing landscape of the digital age.

In this era of rapid information dissemination and online communities, the study emphasizes how online cultures have transformed the way we communicate, perceive our communities, forge alliances, and create shared meanings. From recent attempts to restrict religious symbols in public spaces to the controversial "Muslim bans" proposed by Trump, to the growing dissatisfaction with the promises of digital media, Owning the Secular examines how nation-states, organizations, and individuals navigate the complexities of owning the secular to manage cultural differences, reinforce group identities, and assert their stake in some version of Western values amidst the uncertainties of neoliberal capitalism.

Through these case studies and analytical framework, Owning the Secular offers a thought-provoking exploration of the complex dynamics between religion, culture, and power. It sheds light on the strategies employed by different actors to assert their control over the secular and the implications of these attempts for the future of diverse societies. This study is a valuable contribution to the field of cultural studies, sociology, and political science, as it provides insights into the ways in which religious symbols and cultural identities are shaped, contested, and reimagined in the contemporary world.

Weight: 226g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032080161